Teaching and Learning
The area of teaching, learning and assessment is the core business of the Centre for Sport, Dance and Outdoor Education. The desire for new and better ways to learn and develop is a constant challenging theme for staff and students. This involves engaging students in their own learning, by making tasks challenging and interesting, and helping them to become reflective thinkers and motivated individuals.
Staff within the Centre are fortunate to have gained funding from the Higher Education Academy Subject Networks and University to undertake a number of pedagogic research projects linked to teaching and learning activity. Undergraduate students have opportunities for work-based learning throughout each year of their programme in locations across the UK as well as studying overseas. For some students, final year work based learning placements have provided employment on graduation.
Employability and matching the curriculum to careers is an integral aspect of the Centre in order to help students widen the range of avenues they can explore following graduation. Consequently staff within the Centre believes that graduates of the future should be given opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and understanding that enable them to work confidently, flexibly and with expertise amongst communities and partners of all kinds.
The Centre is organised in three curriculum areas Sport Development, Dance Studies and Outdoor and Environmental Education
Sport Development
B.A. (Hons) Sport Development with Physical Education
In relation to sport the BA (Hons) programme was the first in the UK to combine sport with PE, and staff work hard to ensure that course maintains currency in a fast moving area of government policy. The sport degrees offer opportunities for students to reflect upon aspects of sports management, health related activity, coaching sports development, inclusion and physical education. This programme aims to develop individuals with an in-depth understanding of sport development, management and physical education through theoretical, practical and work based learning experiences. The combination of sport development and physical education (PE) offers potential applicants opportunities to gain employment within a wide variety of sport and recreational fields. Many students on graduation go on to further study for a Postgraduate Certificate in physical education, whilst others go onto work in aspects of sport and community development. In order to ensure currency and innovation the programme works closely with industry professional bodies such as Skills Active and The National Association for Sport Development.
M.A. Sport Development Management
This new programme will be on offer from September 2007 and will be one of the few courses in the country that offers students a chance to develop both their theoretical and practical knowledge of the growing area of sport development.
Foundation degree in Disability Sport Development
This is truly an innovative programme working with Greenbank Sports Academy, the course offers individuals a chance to study and work within a sports setting. The purpose of the programme will be to provide educational and vocational opportunities to students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences working within the Sport and leisure industry and those wishing to enter the industry.
The introduction of a Foundation Degree (FdA) in Disability Sport development will establish a direct route for learners to progress onto higher education – thus adding value to their learning environment. The course is predominantly aimed at disabled athletes and is a partnership between an elite sports academy and Liverpool John Moores University. The course is due to commence January 2007.
Dance Practices
B.A. (Hons) Dance Practices
The design of courses in dance encapsulates a belief reflected by the professional dance world, that the role of ‘the dancer’ in today’s profession can embrace a much broader range of activities and skills than in the past. The territory of dance making and performance has broadened to encompass different traditions and disciplines, notably those theatrical elements that contribute to the relatively modern ideas of ‘Dance Theatre’ and ‘Physical Theatre’. In addition, dance is no longer the sole territory of ‘the professional performer’, but has a place in many peoples’ lives, in many different contexts and both live and digital. Dance no longer takes place just in theatres or dance studios but in schools, community centres, youth clubs, hospitals, prisons, sports centres, on computers and more.
We believe that the dance professionals of the future should be given opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable them to work confidently, flexibly and with expertise amongst 'dancing communities' of all kinds. With this in mind, the course offers a thorough practical grounding in all aspects of dance practice, supported by theoretical and contextual study.
Outdoor Education
B.Sc. (Hons) Outdoor Education
The programme takes a holistic approach to the area of outdoor education. The three main areas of outdoor skills (climbing, paddling, skiing, caving, mountaineering & urban-based pursuits), environmental education and personal and social development are embedded in an holistic curriculum which provides students with a rich philosophy and ethos in outdoor education, the skills to carry out independent study and research, as well as the knowledge and skills to operate in a safe and professional manner.
